MG affecting heart???
 

My cardiologist did a cardiac ultrasound today which was normal. He said he wants to repeat it in six months to be sure the MG doesn't affect my heart. I was unaware that this was a possibility--has anyone else had experience with this?

Susan

As far as I know MG does not affect the heart. Perhaps he is concerned about the side-effects of some of the medications/treatments or the level of stress it may cause. THis type of disease causes an enormous amount of physical and emotional stress.

I think you doctor is just being very cautious,

kathie

Bradycardia
 

During and after my first crisis (I have had two), I had bradycardia (slow heart rate). Which can cause many symptoms similar to MG.

According to Mayo Clinic symptoms of bradycardia can include:
Near-fainting or fainting (syncope)
Dizziness
Weakness---------------------------------Also an MG symptom
Fatigue-------------------------------------Also an MG symptom
Shortness of breath---------------------Also an MG symptom
Chest pains
Confusion or memory problems-------Often reported by MG patients - I am one of them (memory issues) :confused:
Easily tiring during physical activity---WE KNOW this is an MG symptom

While in the hospital, I received IVIG (5 days) to pull me out of the crisis, but bradycardia continued and I had all of the above symptoms except for chest pain.

Neuro called in cardiologist. He said Mestinon could cause bradycardia.

Neuro told cardiolologist that I could not survive without Mestinon.

Cardiologist watched me very closely for about six months, (I continued taking Mestinon) - during which time my heart rate returned to normal. (My normal heart rate tends to be a "low normal).

Cardiologist said if my heart rate had not returned within a "normal range" - that I would have needed a pacemaker. :eek:

Thankfully, I haven't needed that procedure. ;)

Perhaps this is what your doctor is looking out for.

Or perhaps you are becoming more sedentary, and/or have gained weight due to MG - and he is watching your heart because of these lifestyle changes.

That's my experience and non-medical guesses about your doc's concern about MG affecting the heart. I have had MG since 2000, have done much research (early in diagnosis) and reading about MG and truly can't recall reading anything that says that MG has been proven to DIRECTLY affect the heart.

I think it is great that you have a physician who is watching you carefully.